1
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Snyder M, Wang Z, Lara B, Fimbres J, Pichardo T, Mazzilli S, Khan MM, Duggineni VK, Monti S, Sherr DH. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Controls IFNγ-Induced Immune Checkpoints PD-L1 and IDO via the JAK/STAT Pathway in Lung Adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.12.607602. [PMID: 39185148 PMCID: PMC11343147 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.607602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
While immunotherapy has shown efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, many respond only partially or not at all. One limitation in improving outcomes is the lack of a complete understanding of immune checkpoint regulation. Here, we investigated a possible link between an environmental chemical receptor implicated in lung cancer and immune regulation, (the aryl hydrocarbon receptor/AhR), a known but counterintuitive mediator of immunosuppression (IFNγ), and regulation of two immune checkpoints (PD-L1 and IDO). AhR gene-edited LUAD cell lines, a syngeneic LUAD mouse model, bulk- and scRNA sequencing of LUADs and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were used to map out a signaling pathway leading from IFNγ through the AhR to JAK/STAT, PD-L1, IDO, and tumor-mediated immunosuppression. The data demonstrate that: 1) IFNγ activation of the JAK/STAT pathway leading to PD-L1 and IDO1 upregulation is mediated by the AhR in murine and human LUAD cells, 2) AhR-driven IDO1 induction results in the production of Kynurenine (Kyn), an AhR ligand, which likely mediates an AhR→IDO1→Kyn→AhR amplification loop, 3) transplantation of AhR-knockout LUAD cells results in long-term tumor immunity in most recipients. 4) The 23% of AhR-knockout tumors that do grow do so at a much slower pace than controls and exhibit higher densities of CD8+ T cells expressing markers of immunocompetence, increased activity, and increased cell-cell communication. The data definitively link the AhR to IFNγ-induced JAK/STAT pathway and immune checkpoint-mediated immunosuppression and support the targeting of the AhR in the context of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Snyder
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Brian Lara
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Jocelyn Fimbres
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | | | | | - Mohammed Muzamil Khan
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Vinay K. Duggineni
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Stefano Monti
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - David H. Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
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2
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Grishanova AY, Perepechaeva ML. Kynurenic Acid/AhR Signaling at the Junction of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6933. [PMID: 39000041 PMCID: PMC11240928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Persistent systemic chronic inflammatory conditions are linked with many pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), a leading cause of death across the globe. Among various risk factors, one of the new possible contributors to CVDs is the metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan. Proinflammatory signals promote tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine (KYN) pathway (KP), thereby resulting in the biosynthesis of several immunomodulatory metabolites whose biological effects are associated with the development of symptoms and progression of various inflammatory diseases. Some participants in the KP are agonists of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a central player in a signaling pathway that, along with a regulatory influence on the metabolism of environmental xenobiotics, performs a key immunomodulatory function by triggering various cellular mechanisms with the participation of endogenous ligands to alleviate inflammation. An AhR ligand with moderate affinity is the central metabolite of the KP: KYN; one of the subsequent metabolites of KYN-kynurenic acid (KYNA)-is a more potent ligand of AhR. Understanding the role of AhR pathway-related metabolites of the KP that regulate inflammatory factors in cells of the cardiovascular system is interesting and important for achieving effective treatment of CVDs. The purpose of this review was to summarize the results of studies about the participation of the KP metabolite-KYNA-and of the AhR signaling pathway in the regulation of inflammation in pathological conditions of the heart and blood vessels and about the possible interaction of KYNA with AhR signaling in some CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria L. Perepechaeva
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630060, Russia;
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3
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Adegbola PI, Adetutu A. Genetic and epigenetic modulations in toxicity: The two-sided roles of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the environment. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:502-519. [PMID: 38774476 PMCID: PMC11106787 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This study emphasizes the importance of considering the metabolic and toxicity mechanisms of environmental concern chemicals in real-life exposure scenarios. Furthermore, environmental chemicals may require metabolic activation to become toxic, and competition for binding sites on receptors can affect the severity of toxicity. The multicomplex process of chemical toxicity is reflected in the activation of multiple pathways during toxicity of which AhR activation is major. Real-life exposure to a mixture of concern chemicals is common, and the composition of these chemicals determines the severity of toxicity. Nutritional essential elements can mitigate the toxicity of toxic heavy metals, while the types and ratio of composition of PAH can either increase or decrease toxicity. The epigenetic mechanisms of heavy metals and PAH toxicity involves either down-regulation or up-regulation of some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) whereas specific small RNAs (sRNAs) may have dual role depending on the tissue and circumstance of expression. Similarly, decrease DNA methylation and histone modification are major players in heavy metals and PAH mediated toxicity and FLT1 hypermethylation is a major process in PAH induced carcinogenesis. Overall, this review provides the understanding of the metabolism of environmental concern chemicals, emphasizing the importance of considering mixed compositions and real-life exposure scenarios in assessing their potential effects on human health and diseases development as well as the dual mechanism of toxicity via genetic or epigenetic axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Ifeoluwa Adegbola
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, First Technical University, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adewale Adetutu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
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4
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Jung S, Wang S, Lee D. CancerGATE: Prediction of cancer-driver genes using graph attention autoencoders. Comput Biol Med 2024; 176:108568. [PMID: 38744009 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Discovery of the cancer type specific-driver genes is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of each cancer type and for providing proper treatment. Recently, graph deep learning methods became widely used in finding cancer-driver genes. However, previous methods had limited performance in individual cancer types due to a small number of cancer-driver genes used in training and biases toward the cancer-driver genes used in training the models. Here, we introduce a novel pipeline, CancerGATE that predicts the cancer-driver genes using graph attention autoencoder (GATE) to learn in a self-supervised manner and can be applied to each of the cancer types. CancerGATE utilizes biological network topology and multi-omics data from 15 types of cancer of 20,079 samples from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). Attention coefficients calculated in the model are used to prioritize cancer-driver genes by comparing coefficients of cancer and normal contexts. CancerGATE shows a higher AUPRC with a difference ranging from 1.5 % to 36.5 % compared to the previous graph deep learning models in each cancer type. We also show that CancerGATE is free from the bias toward cancer-driver genes used in training, revealing mechanisms of the cancer-driver genes in specific cancer types. Finally, we propose novel cancer-driver gene candidates that could be therapeutic targets for specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwan Jung
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seunghyun Wang
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Doheon Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Chaudhry KA, Bianchi-Smiraglia A. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a tumor modulator: mechanisms to therapy. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1375905. [PMID: 38807762 PMCID: PMC11130384 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1375905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is widely recognized to play important, but complex, modulatory roles in a variety of tumor types. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the increasingly controversial role of AhR as a tumor regulator and the mechanisms by which it alters tumor progression based on the cancer cell type. Finally, we discuss new and emerging strategies to therapeutically modulate AhR, focusing on novel agents that hold promise in current human clinical trials as well as existing FDA-approved drugs that could potentially be repurposed for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, NY, United States
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6
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Silva-Parra J, Ramírez-Martínez L, Palafox-Gómez C, Sandu C, López-Bayghen E, Vega L, Elizondo G, Loaeza-Loaeza J, Hernández-Sotelo D, Hernández-Kelly LC, Felder-Schmittbuhl MP, Ortega A. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Involvement in the Sodium-Dependent Glutamate/Aspartate Transporter Regulation in Cerebellar Bergmann Glia Cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1276-1285. [PMID: 38454572 PMCID: PMC10958506 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate brain, exerts its functions through the activation of specific plasma membrane receptors and transporters. Overstimulation of glutamate receptors results in neuronal cell death through a process known as excitotoxicity. A family of sodium-dependent glutamate plasma membrane transporters is responsible for the removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft, preventing an excitotoxic insult. Glial glutamate transporters carry out more than 90% of the brain glutamate uptake activity and are responsible for glutamate recycling through the GABA/Glutamate/Glutamine shuttle. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that integrates environmental clues through its ability to heterodimerize with different transcription factors. Taking into consideration the fundamental role of glial glutamate transporters in glutamatergic synapses and that these transporters are regulated at the transcriptional, translational, and localization levels in an activity-dependent fashion, in this contribution, we explored the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, as a model of environmental integrator, in the regulation of the glial sodium-dependent glutamate/aspartate transporter. Using the model of chick cerebellar Bergmann glia cells, we report herein that the aryl hydrocarbon receptors exert a time-dependent decrease in the transporter mRNA levels and a diminution of its uptake activity. The nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of the activated B cell signaling pathway is involved in this regulation. Our results favor the notion of an environmentally dependent regulation of glutamate removal in glial cells and therefore strengthen the notion of the involvement of glial cells in xenobiotic neurotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janisse Silva-Parra
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Leticia Ramírez-Martínez
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Palafox-Gómez
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Cristina Sandu
- Centre
National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université
de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg 00000, France
| | - Esther López-Bayghen
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Libia Vega
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Elizondo
- Departamento
de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Jaqueline Loaeza-Loaeza
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Daniel Hernández-Sotelo
- Facultad
de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo 39070, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Luisa C. Hernández-Kelly
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Marie-Paule Felder-Schmittbuhl
- Centre
National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université
de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg 00000, France
| | - Arturo Ortega
- Departamento
de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación
y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
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7
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Xie H, Yang N, Yu C, Lu L. Uremic toxins mediate kidney diseases: the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:38. [PMID: 38491448 PMCID: PMC10943832 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was originally identified as an environmental sensor that responds to pollutants. Subsequent research has revealed that AhR recognizes multiple exogenous and endogenous molecules, including uremic toxins retained in the body due to the decline in renal function. Therefore, AhR is also considered to be a uremic toxin receptor. As a ligand-activated transcriptional factor, the activation of AhR is involved in cell differentiation and senescence, lipid metabolism and fibrogenesis. The accumulation of uremic toxins in the body is hazardous to all tissues and organs. The identification of the endogenous uremic toxin receptor opens the door to investigating the precise role and molecular mechanism of tissue and organ damage induced by uremic toxins. This review focuses on summarizing recent findings on the role of AhR activation induced by uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and acute kidney injury. Furthermore, potential clinical approaches to mitigate the effects of uremic toxins are explored herein, such as enhancing uremic toxin clearance through dialysis, reducing uremic toxin production through dietary interventions or microbial manipulation, and manipulating metabolic pathways induced by uremic toxins through controlling AhR signaling. This information may also shed light on the mechanism of uremic toxin-induced injury to other organs, and provide insights into clinical approaches to manipulate the accumulated uremic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Ninghao Yang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China.
| | - Limin Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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8
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Wang Z, Zhang Y, Liao Z, Huang M, Shui X. The potential of aryl hydrocarbon receptor as receptors for metabolic changes in tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1328606. [PMID: 38434684 PMCID: PMC10904539 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1328606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can alter their metabolism to meet energy and molecular requirements due to unfavorable environments with oxygen and nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, metabolic reprogramming is common in a tumor microenvironment (TME). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor, which can be activated by many exogenous and endogenous ligands. Multiple AhR ligands can be produced by both TME and tumor cells. By attaching to various ligands, AhR regulates cancer metabolic reprogramming by dysregulating various metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. These regulated pathways greatly contribute to cancer cell growth, metastasis, and evading cancer therapies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we review the relationship between TME and metabolism and describe the important role of AhR in cancer regulation. We also focus on recent findings to discuss the idea that AhR acts as a receptor for metabolic changes in tumors, which may provide new perspectives on the direction of AhR research in tumor metabolic reprogramming and future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Wang
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanqi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhihong Liao
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingzhang Huang
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaorong Shui
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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9
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Li Y, Zeng Y, Chen Z, Tan X, Mei X, Wu Z. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in vitiligo: a review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1291556. [PMID: 38361944 PMCID: PMC10867127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1291556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune dermatosis characterized by patchy skin depigmentation, causing significant psychological distress to the patients. Genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, oxidative stress, and autoimmunity contribute to melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. Due to the diversity and complexity of pathogenesis, the combination of inhibiting melanocyte destruction and stimulating melanogenesis gives the best results in treating vitiligo. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that can regulate the expression of various downstream genes and play roles in cell differentiation, immune response, and physiological homeostasis maintenance. Recent studies suggested that AhR signaling pathway was downregulated in vitiligo. Activation of AhR pathway helps to activate antioxidant pathways, inhibit abnormal immunity response, and upregulate the melanogenesis gene, thereby protecting melanocytes from oxidative stress damage, controlling disease progression, and promoting lesion repigmentation. Here, we review the relevant literature and summarize the possible roles of the AhR signaling pathway in vitiligo pathogenesis and treatment, to further understand the links between the AhR and vitiligo, and provide new potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Li
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yibin Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zile Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Tan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyu Mei
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouwei Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Chaudhry KA, Jacobi JJ, Gillard BM, Karasik E, Martin JC, da Silva Fernandes T, Hurley E, Feltri ML, Attwood KM, Twist CJ, Smiraglia DJ, Long MD, Bianchi-Smiraglia A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a tumor promoter in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells through suppression of differentiation. iScience 2023; 26:108303. [PMID: 38026169 PMCID: PMC10654598 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. MYCN amplification is detected in almost half of high-risk cases and is associated with poorly differentiated tumors, poor patient prognosis and poor response to therapy, including retinoids. We identify the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a transcription factor promoting the growth and suppressing the differentiation of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. A neuroblastoma specific AhR transcriptional signature reveals an inverse correlation of AhR activity with patients' outcome, suggesting AhR activity is critical for disease progression. AhR modulates chromatin structures, reducing accessibility to regions responsive to retinoic acid. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of AhR results in induction of differentiation. Importantly, AhR antagonism with clofazimine synergizes with retinoic acid in inducing differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we propose AhR as a target for MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma and that its antagonism, combined with current standard-of-care, may result in a more durable response in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanita A. Chaudhry
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Justine J. Jacobi
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bryan M. Gillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Ellen Karasik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Martin
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Biochemistry and Neurology, Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Maria Laura Feltri
- Department of Biochemistry and Neurology, Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Foundation I.R.C.C.S. Carlo Besta Neurological Institute Milan, Italy
| | - Kristopher M. Attwood
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Clare J. Twist
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dominic J. Smiraglia
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
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11
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Pacheco JHL, Elizondo G. Interplay between Estrogen, Kynurenine, and AHR Pathways: An immunosuppressive axis with therapeutic potential for breast cancer treatment. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115804. [PMID: 37716620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. Estrogen exposure via endogenous and exogenous sources during a lifetime, together with environmental exposure to estrogenic compounds, represent the most significant risk factor for breast cancer development. As breast tumors establish, multiple pathways are deregulated. Among them is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway. AHR, a ligand-activated transcription factor associated with the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and estrogens, is overexpressed in breast cancer. Furthermore, AHR and estrogen receptor (ER) cross-talk pathways have been observed. Additionally, the Tryptophan (Trp) catabolizing enzymes indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) are overexpressed in breast cancer. IDO/TDO catalyzes the formation of Kynurenine (KYN) and other tryptophan-derived metabolites, which are ligands of AHR. Once KYN activates AHR, it stimulates the expression of the IDO enzyme, increases the level of KYN, and activates non-canonical pathways to control inflammation and immunosuppression in breast tumors. The interplay between E2, AHR, and IDO/TDO/KYN pathways and their impact on the immune system represents an immunosuppressive axis on breast cancer. The potential modulation of the immunosuppressive E2-AHR-IDO/TDO/KYN axis has aroused great expectations in oncotherapy. The present article will review the mechanisms implicated in generating the immunosuppressive axis E2-AHR-IDO/TDO/KYN in breast cancer and the current state of knowledge as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermo Elizondo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, C.P. 07360 Ciudad de México, México.
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12
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Li K, Li K, He Y, Liang S, Shui X, Lei W. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: A bridge linking immuno-inflammation and metabolism in atherosclerosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115744. [PMID: 37579858 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and atherosclerosis is a major contributor to this etiology. The ligand-activated transcription factor, known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), plays an essential role in the interactions between genes and the environment. In a number of human diseases, including atherosclerosis, the AhR signaling pathway has recently been shown to be aberrantly expressed and activated. It's reported that AhR can regulate the immuno-inflammatory response and metabolism pathways in atherosclerosis, potentially serving as a bridge that links these processes. In this review, we highlight the involvement of AhR in atherosclerosis. From the literature, we conclude that AhR is a potential target for controlling atherosclerosis through precise interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kongwei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Cardiovascular Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Department of Precision Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Kaiyue Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Department of Precision Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan He
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Shan Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Cardiovascular Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Department of Precision Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaorong Shui
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wei Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Drugs Translation of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Macao Region on Molecular Targets and Intervention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China; Department of Precision Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
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13
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Alluli A, Rijnbout St James W, Eidelman DH, Baglole CJ. Dynamic relationship between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and long noncoding RNA balances cellular and toxicological responses. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115745. [PMID: 37597813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic transcription factor activated by endogenous ligands and xenobiotic chemicals. Once the AhR is activated, it translocates to the nucleus, dimerizes with the AhR nuclear translator (ARNT) and binds to xenobiotic response elements (XRE) to promote gene transcription, notably the cytochrome P450 CYP1A1. The AhR not only mediates the toxic effects of environmental chemicals, but also has numerous putative physiological functions. This dichotomy in AhR biology may be related to reciprocal regulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). lncRNA are defined as transcripts more than 200 nucleotides in length that do not encode a protein but are implicated in many physiological processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. lncRNA are also linked to disease pathogenesis, particularly the development of cancer. Recent studies have revealed that AhR activation by environmental chemicals affects the expression and function of lncRNA. In this article, we provide an overview of AhR signaling pathways activated by diverse ligands and highlight key differences in the putative biological versus toxicological response of AhR activation. We also detail the functions of lncRNA and provide current data on their regulation by the AhR. Finally, we outline how overlap in function between AhR and lncRNA may be one way in which AhR can be both a regulator of endogenous functions but also a mediator of toxicological responses to environmental chemicals. Overall, more research is still needed to fully understand the dynamic interplay between the AhR and lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aeshah Alluli
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - Willem Rijnbout St James
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada
| | - David H Eidelman
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Baglole
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Canada; Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Pathology, McGill University, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Canada.
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14
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Opitz CA, Holfelder P, Prentzell MT, Trump S. The complex biology of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in cancer and beyond. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115798. [PMID: 37696456 PMCID: PMC10570930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway is a complex regulatory network that plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cellular metabolism, development, and immune responses. The complexity of AHR signaling arises from multiple factors, including the diverse ligands that activate the receptor, the expression level of AHR itself, and its interaction with the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). Additionally, the AHR crosstalks with the AHR repressor (AHRR) or other transcription factors and signaling pathways and it can also mediate non-genomic effects. Finally, posttranslational modifications of the AHR and its interaction partners, epigenetic regulation of AHR and its target genes, as well as AHR-mediated induction of enzymes that degrade AHR-activating ligands may contribute to the context-specificity of AHR activation. Understanding the complexity of AHR signaling is crucial for deciphering its physiological and pathological roles and developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. Ongoing research continues to unravel the intricacies of AHR signaling, shedding light on the regulatory mechanisms controlling its diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane A Opitz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Pauline Holfelder
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirja Tamara Prentzell
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Trump
- Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, a partnership between DKFZ and Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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15
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Holme JA, Vondráček J, Machala M, Lagadic-Gossmann D, Vogel CFA, Le Ferrec E, Sparfel L, Øvrevik J. Lung cancer associated with combustion particles and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - The roles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115801. [PMID: 37696458 PMCID: PMC10543654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking, contributing to 20% of all lung cancer deaths. Increased risk associated with living near trafficked roads, occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, indoor coal combustion and cigarette smoking, suggest that combustion components in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may be central drivers of lung cancer. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) and increase PAH metabolism, formation of reactive metabolites, oxidative stress, DNA damage and mutagenesis. Lung cancer tissues from smokers and workers exposed to high combustion PM levels contain mutagenic signatures derived from PAHs. However, recent findings suggest that ambient air PM2.5 exposure primarily induces lung cancer development through tumor promotion of cells harboring naturally acquired oncogenic mutations, thus lacking typical PAH-induced mutations. On this background, we discuss the role of AhR and PAHs in lung cancer development caused by air pollution focusing on the tumor promoting properties including metabolism, immune system, cell proliferation and survival, tumor microenvironment, cell-to-cell communication, tumor growth and metastasis. We suggest that the dichotomy in lung cancer patterns observed between smoking and outdoor air PM2.5 represent the two ends of a dose-response continuum of combustion PM exposure, where tumor promotion in the peripheral lung appears to be the driving factor at the relatively low-dose exposures from ambient air PM2.5, whereas genotoxicity in the central airways becomes increasingly more important at the higher combustion PM levels encountered through smoking and occupational exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørn A Holme
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Vondráček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Machala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eric Le Ferrec
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lydie Sparfel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway.
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16
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Schmidt JR, Haupt J, Riemschneider S, Kämpf C, Löffler D, Blumert C, Reiche K, Koehl U, Kalkhof S, Lehmann J. Transcriptomic signatures reveal a shift towards an anti-inflammatory gene expression profile but also the induction of type I and type II interferon signaling networks through aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in murine macrophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1156493. [PMID: 37287978 PMCID: PMC10242070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1156493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates a broad range of target genes involved in the xenobiotic response, cell cycle control and circadian rhythm. AhR is constitutively expressed in macrophages (Mϕ), acting as key regulator of cytokine production. While proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, are suppressed through AhR activation, anti-inflammatory IL-10 is induced. However, the underlying mechanisms of those effects and the importance of the specific ligand structure are not yet completely understood. Methods Therefore, we have compared the global gene expression pattern in activated murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) subsequently to exposure with either benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) or indole-3-carbinol (I3C), representing high-affinity vs. low-affinity AhR ligands, respectively, by means of mRNA sequencing. AhR dependency of observed effects was proved using BMMs from AhR-knockout (Ahr-/-) mice. Results and discussion In total, more than 1,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) could be mapped, covering a plethora of AhR-modulated effects on basal cellular processes, i.e., transcription and translation, but also immune functions, i.e., antigen presentation, cytokine production, and phagocytosis. Among DEGs were genes that are already known to be regulated by AhR, i.e., Irf1, Ido2, and Cd84. However, we identified DEGs not yet described to be AhR-regulated in Mϕ so far, i.e., Slpi, Il12rb1, and Il21r. All six genes likely contribute to shifting the Mϕ phenotype from proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory. The majority of DEGs induced through BaP were not affected through I3C exposure, probably due to higher AhR affinity of BaP in comparison to I3C. Mapping of known aryl hydrocarbon response element (AHRE) sequence motifs in identified DEGs revealed more than 200 genes not possessing any AHRE, and therefore being not eligible for canonical regulation. Bioinformatic approaches modeled a central role of type I and type II interferons in the regulation of those genes. Additionally, RT-qPCR and ELISA confirmed a AhR-dependent expressional induction and AhR-dependent secretion of IFN-γ in response to BaP exposure, suggesting an auto- or paracrine activation pathway of Mϕ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes R. Schmidt
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janine Haupt
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sina Riemschneider
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Kämpf
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis Löffler
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Conny Blumert
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristin Reiche
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Kalkhof
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Applied Sciences, Institute for Bioanalysis, Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Coburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Lehmann
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
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17
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Grishanova AY, Klyushova LS, Perepechaeva ML. AhR and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways and Their Interplay. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3848-3876. [PMID: 37232717 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As evolutionarily conserved signaling cascades, AhR and Wnt signaling pathways play a critical role in the control over numerous vital embryonic and somatic processes. AhR performs many endogenous functions by integrating its signaling pathway into organ homeostasis and into the maintenance of crucial cellular functions and biological processes. The Wnt signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and many other phenomena, and this regulation is important for embryonic development and the dynamic balance of adult tissues. AhR and Wnt are the main signaling pathways participating in the control of cell fate and function. They occupy a central position in a variety of processes linked with development and various pathological conditions. Given the importance of these two signaling cascades, it would be interesting to elucidate the biological implications of their interaction. Functional connections between AhR and Wnt signals take place in cases of crosstalk or interplay, about which quite a lot of information has been accumulated in recent years. This review is focused on recent studies about the mutual interactions of key mediators of AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and on the assessment of the complexity of the crosstalk between the AhR signaling cascade and the canonical Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alevtina Y Grishanova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Lyubov S Klyushova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Maria L Perepechaeva
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
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18
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Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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19
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Perdew GH, Esser C, Snyder M, Sherr DH, van den Bogaard EH, McGovern K, Fernández-Salguero PM, Coumoul X, Patterson AD. The Ah Receptor from Toxicity to Therapeutics: Report from the 5th AHR Meeting at Penn State University, USA, June 2022. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5550. [PMID: 36982624 PMCID: PMC10058801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a sensor of low-molecular-weight molecule signals that originate from environmental exposures, the microbiome, and host metabolism. Building upon initial studies examining anthropogenic chemical exposures, the list of AHR ligands of microbial, diet, and host metabolism origin continues to grow and has provided important clues as to the function of this enigmatic receptor. The AHR has now been shown to be directly involved in numerous biochemical pathways that influence host homeostasis, chronic disease development, and responses to toxic insults. As this field of study has continued to grow, it has become apparent that the AHR is an important novel target for cancer, metabolic diseases, skin conditions, and autoimmune disease. This meeting attempted to cover the scope of basic and applied research being performed to address possible applications of our basic knowledge of this receptor on therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary H. Perdew
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Charlotte Esser
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf’m Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Megan Snyder
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - David H. Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Ellen H. van den Bogaard
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karen McGovern
- Ikena Oncology, Inc., 645 Summer Street Suite 101, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Pedro M. Fernández-Salguero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Avenida de la Investigación s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 45 rue des Saints-Peères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Andrew D. Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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20
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Patil NY, Friedman JE, Joshi AD. Role of Hepatic Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. RECEPTORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:1-15. [PMID: 37284280 PMCID: PMC10240927 DOI: 10.3390/receptors2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous nuclear receptors including farnesoid X receptor, liver X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, pregnane X receptor, hepatic nuclear factors have been extensively studied within the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Following the first description of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) in the 1970s and decades of research which unveiled its role in toxicity and pathophysiological processes, the functional significance of AhR in NAFLD has not been completely decoded. Recently, multiple research groups have utilized a plethora of in vitro and in vivo models that mimic NAFLD pathology to investigate the functional significance of AhR in fatty liver disease. This review provides a comprehensive account of studies describing both the beneficial and possible detrimental role of AhR in NAFLD. A plausible reconciliation for the paradox indicating AhR as a 'double-edged sword' in NAFLD is discussed. Finally, understanding AhR ligands and their signaling in NAFLD will facilitate us to probe AhR as a potential drug target to design innovative therapeutics against NAFLD in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Y. Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Jacob E. Friedman
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Aditya D. Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
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21
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Celik-Turgut G, Olmez N, Koc T, Ozgun-Acar O, Semiz A, Dodurga Y, Lale Satiroglu-Tufan N, Sen A. Role of AHR, NF-kB and CYP1A1 crosstalk with the X protein of Hepatitis B virus in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Gene 2023; 853:147099. [PMID: 36476661 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, it was aimed to elucidate the interaction between aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) with hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) in a human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) transfected with HBX. First, AHR, NF-kB, and CYP1A1 genes were cloned into the appropriate region of the CheckMate mammalian two-hybrid recipient plasmids using a flexi vector system. Renilla and firefly luciferases were quantified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay system to measure the interactions. Secondly, transient transfections of CYP1A1 and NF-kB (RelA) were performed into HBX-positive and HBX-negative HepG2 cells. The mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and NF-kB genes were confirmed with RT-PCR, and cell viability was measured by WST-1. Further verification was assessed by measuring the activity and protein level of CYP1A1. Additionally, CYP1A1/HBX protein-protein interactions were performed with co-immunoprecipitation, which demonstrated no interaction. These results have clearly shown that the NF-kB and AHR genes interact with HBX without involving CYP1A1 and HBX protein-protein interactions. The present study confirms that AHR and NF-kB interaction plays a role in the HBV mechanism mediated via HBX and coordinating the carcinogenic or inflammatory responses; still, the CYP1A1 gene has no effect on this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurbet Celik-Turgut
- Department of Organic Agriculture Management, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Nazmiye Olmez
- Departments of Biology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Tugba Koc
- Departments of Biology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Ozden Ozgun-Acar
- Seed Breeding & Genetics Application Research Center, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Asli Semiz
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Yavuz Dodurga
- Departments of Medical Biology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | | | - Alaattin Sen
- Departments of Biology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey; Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey.
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22
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Sondermann NC, Faßbender S, Hartung F, Hätälä AM, Rolfes KM, Vogel CFA, Haarmann-Stemmann T. Functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) beyond the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 208:115371. [PMID: 36528068 PMCID: PMC9884176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor regulating adaptive and maladaptive responses toward exogenous and endogenous signals. Research from various biomedical disciplines has provided compelling evidence that the AHR is critically involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and disorders, including autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, endocrine disruption, premature aging and cancer. Accordingly, AHR is considered an attractive target for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic measures. However, the ligand-based targeting of AHR is considerably complicated by the fact that the receptor does not always follow the beaten track, i.e. the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Instead, AHR might team up with other transcription factors and signaling molecules to shape gene expression patterns and associated physiological or pathophysiological functions in a ligand-, cell- and micromilieu-dependent manner. Herein, we provide an overview about some of the most important non-canonical functions of AHR, including crosstalk with major signaling pathways involved in controlling cell fate and function, immune responses, adaptation to low oxygen levels and oxidative stress, ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Further research on these diverse and exciting yet often ambivalent facets of AHR biology is urgently needed in order to exploit the full potential of AHR modulation for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Sondermann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Faßbender
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frederick Hartung
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna M Hätälä
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina M Rolfes
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Riaz F, Pan F, Wei P. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: The master regulator of immune responses in allergic diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057555. [PMID: 36601108 PMCID: PMC9806217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a widely studied ligand-activated cytosolic transcriptional factor that has been associated with the initiation and progression of various diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic syndromes, and allergies. Generally, AhR responds and binds to environmental toxins/ligands, dietary ligands, and allergens to regulate toxicological, biological, cellular responses. In a canonical signaling manner, activation of AhR is responsible for the increase in cytochrome P450 enzymes which help individuals to degrade and metabolize these environmental toxins and ligands. However, canonical signaling cannot be applied to all the effects mediated by AhR. Recent findings indicate that activation of AhR signaling also interacts with some non-canonical factors like Kruppel-like-factor-6 (KLF6) or estrogen-receptor-alpha (Erα) to affect the expression of downstream genes. Meanwhile, enormous research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of AhR signaling on innate and adaptive immunity. It has been shown that AhR exerts numerous effects on mast cells, B cells, macrophages, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), Th1/Th2 cell balance, Th17, and regulatory T cells, thus, playing a significant role in allergens-induced diseases. This review discussed how AhR mediates immune responses in allergic diseases. Meanwhile, we believe that understanding the role of AhR in immune responses will enhance our knowledge of AhR-mediated immune regulation in allergic diseases. Also, it will help researchers to understand the role of AhR in regulating immune responses in autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic syndromes, and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farooq Riaz
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Pan
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Ping Wei, ; Fan Pan,
| | - Ping Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, China,*Correspondence: Ping Wei, ; Fan Pan,
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24
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Sweeney C, Lazennec G, Vogel CFA. Environmental exposure and the role of AhR in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1095289. [PMID: 36588678 PMCID: PMC9797527 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1095289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) through environmental exposure to chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) can lead to severe adverse health effects and increase the risk of breast cancer. This review considers several mechanisms which link the tumor promoting effects of environmental pollutants with the AhR signaling pathway, contributing to the development and progression of breast cancer. We explore AhR's function in shaping the tumor microenvironment, modifying immune tolerance, and regulating cancer stemness, driving breast cancer chemoresistance and metastasis. The complexity of AhR, with evidence for both oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles is discussed. We propose that AhR functions as a "molecular bridge", linking disproportionate toxin exposure and policies which underlie environmental injustice with tumor cell behaviors which drive poor patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Gwendal Lazennec
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, SYS2DIAG-ALCEN, Cap Delta, Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph F. A. Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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25
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The Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and Its Ligands in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225574. [PMID: 36428667 PMCID: PMC9688153 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex disease which is defined by numerous cellular and molecular markers that can be used to develop more targeted and successful therapies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is overexpressed in many breast tumor sub-types, including estrogen receptor -positive (ER+) tumors; however, the prognostic value of the AhR for breast cancer patient survival is not consistent between studies. Moreover, the functional role of the AhR in various breast cancer cell lines is also variable and exhibits both tumor promoter- and tumor suppressor- like activity and the AhR is expressed in both ER-positive and ER-negative cells/tumors. There is strong evidence demonstrating inhibitory AhR-Rα crosstalk where various AhR ligands induce ER degradation. It has also been reported that different structural classes of AhR ligands, including halogenated aromatics, polynuclear aromatics, synthetic drugs and other pharmaceuticals, health promoting phytochemical-derived natural products and endogenous AhR-active compounds inhibit one or more of breast cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration/invasion, and metastasis. AhR-dependent mechanisms for the inhibition of breast cancer by AhR agonists are variable and include the downregulation of multiple genes/gene products such as CXCR4, MMPs, CXCL12, SOX4 and the modulation of microRNA levels. Some AhR ligands, such as aminoflavone, have been investigated in clinical trials for their anticancer activity against breast cancer. In contrast, several publications have reported that AhR agonists and antagonists enhance and inhibit mammary carcinogenesis, respectively, and differences between the anticancer activities of AhR agonists in breast cancer may be due in part to cell context and ligand structure. However, there are reports showing that the same AhR ligand in the same breast cancer cell line gives opposite results. These differences need to be resolved in order to further develop and take advantage of promising agents that inhibit mammary carcinogenesis by targeting the AhR.
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Inhibition of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Expression Disrupts Cell Proliferation and Alters Energy Metabolism and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Colon Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174245. [PMID: 36077780 PMCID: PMC9454859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells undergo metabolic modifications in order to meet their high energetic demand. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor primarily known as a xenobiotic sensor. However, this receptor seems to have a wide range of physiological roles in many processes including cell proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. AhR is often overexpressed in tumor cells of various tissue origin, and several studies have indicated that AhR may also contribute to regulation of cellular metabolism, including synthesis of fatty acids (FA), one of the major steps in metabolic transition. Potential links between the AhR and the control of tumor cell proliferation and metabolism thus deserve more attention. Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a wide range of physiological roles in cellular processes such as proliferation, migration or control of immune responses. Several studies have also indicated that AhR might contribute to the regulation of energy balance or cellular metabolism. We observed that the AhR is upregulated in tumor epithelial cells derived from colon cancer patients. Using wild-type and the corresponding AhR knockout (AhR KO) variants of human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT-29, we analyzed possible role(s) of the AhR in cell proliferation and metabolism, with a focus on regulation of the synthesis of fatty acids (FAs). We observed a decreased proliferation rate in the AhR KO cells, which was accompanied with altered cell cycle progression, as well as a decreased ATP production. We also found reduced mRNA levels of key enzymes of the FA biosynthetic pathway in AhR KO colon cancer cells, in particular of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). The loss of AhR was also associated with reduced expression and/or activity of components of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which controls lipid metabolism, and other lipogenic transcriptional regulators, such as sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1). Together, our data indicate that disruption of AhR activity in colon tumor cells may, likely in a cell-specific manner, limit their proliferation, which could be linked with a suppressive effect on their endogenous FA metabolism. More attention should be paid to potential mechanistic links between overexpressed AhR and colon tumor cell metabolism.
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Tomalka JA, Suthar MS, Diamond MS, Sekaly RP. Innate antiviral immunity: how prior exposures can guide future responses. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:696-705. [PMID: 35907675 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Innate immunity is an intrinsic baseline defense in cells, with its earliest origins in bacteria, and with key roles in defense against pathogens and in the activation of B and T cell responses. In mammals, the efficacy of innate immunity in initiating the cascades that lead to pathogen control results from the interplay of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic responses regulating immune activation and long-lived pathogen-specific memory responses. Recent studies suggest that intrinsic innate immunity is modulated by individual exposure histories - prior infections, vaccinations, and metabolites of microbial origin - and this promotes, or impairs, the development of efficacious innate immune responses. Understanding how environmental factors regulate innate immunity and boost protection from infection or response to vaccination could be a valuable tool for pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Tomalka
- Pathology Advanced Translational Research Unit, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mehul S Suthar
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology, and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rafick P Sekaly
- Pathology Advanced Translational Research Unit, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Benoit L, Jornod F, Zgheib E, Tomkiewicz C, Koual M, Coustillet T, Barouki R, Audouze K, Vinken M, Coumoul X. Adverse outcome pathway from activation of the AhR to breast cancer-related death. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 165:107323. [PMID: 35660951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are formalized and structured linear concepts that connect one molecular initiating event (MIE) to an adverse outcome (AO) via different key events (KE) through key event relationships (KER). They are mainly used in eco-toxicology toxicology, and regulatory health issues. AOPs must respond to specific guidelines from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to weight the evidence between each KE. Breast cancer is the deadliest cancer in women with a poor prognosis in case of metastatic breast cancer. The role of the environments in the formation of metastasis has been suggested. We hypothesized that activation of the AhR (MIE), a xenobiotic receptor, could lead to breast cancer related death (AO), through different KEs, constituting a new AOP. An artificial intelligence tool (AOP-helpfinder), which screens the available literature, was used to collect all existing scientific abstracts to build a novel AOP, using a list of key words. Four hundred and seven abstracts were found containing at least a word from our MIE list and either one word from our AO or KE list. A manual curation retained 113 pertinent articles, which were also screened using PubTator. From these analyses, an AOP was created linking the activation of the AhR to breast cancer related death through decreased apoptosis, inflammation, endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and invasion. These KEs promote an increased tumor growth, angiogenesis and migration which leads to breast cancer metastasis and breast cancer related death. The evidence of the proposed AOP was weighted using the tailored Bradford Hill criteria and the OECD guidelines. The confidence in our AOP was considered strong. An in vitro validation must be carried out, but our review proposes a strong relationship between AhR activation and breast cancer-related death with an innovative use of an artificial intelligence literature search.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Benoit
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France.
| | - Florence Jornod
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Elias Zgheib
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Celine Tomkiewicz
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Meriem Koual
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France
| | - Thibaut Coustillet
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges-Pompidou, Gynecologic and Breast Oncologic Surgery Department, Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, INSERM UMR-S 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, France
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Edwards HE, Gorelick DA. The evolution and structure/function of bHLH-PAS transcription factor family. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1227-1243. [PMID: 35695677 PMCID: PMC10584024 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proteins that contain basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and Per-Arnt-Sim motifs (PAS) function as transcription factors. bHLH-PAS proteins exhibit essential and diverse functions throughout the body, from cell specification and differentiation in embryonic development to the proper function of organs like the brain and liver in adulthood. bHLH-PAS proteins are divided into two classes, which form heterodimers to regulate transcription. Class I bHLH-PAS proteins are typically activated in response to specific stimuli, while class II proteins are expressed more ubiquitously. Here, we discuss the general structure and functions of bHLH-PAS proteins throughout the animal kingdom, including family members that do not fit neatly into the class I-class II organization. We review heterodimerization between class I and class II bHLH-PAS proteins, binding partner selectivity and functional redundancy. Finally, we discuss the evolution of bHLH-PAS proteins, and why a class I protein essential for cardiovascular development in vertebrates like chicken and fish is absent from mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey E Edwards
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A
| | - Daniel A Gorelick
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A
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Grishanova AY, Perepechaeva ML. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Oxidative Stress as a Double Agent and Its Biological and Therapeutic Significance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6719. [PMID: 35743162 PMCID: PMC9224361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has long been implicated in the induction of a battery of genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. AhR is a ligand-activated transcription factor necessary for the launch of transcriptional responses important in health and disease. In past decades, evidence has accumulated that AhR is associated with the cellular response to oxidative stress, and this property of AhR must be taken into account during investigations into a mechanism of action of xenobiotics that is able to activate AhR or that is susceptible to metabolic activation by enzymes encoded by the genes that are under the control of AhR. In this review, we examine various mechanisms by which AhR takes part in the oxidative-stress response, including antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes and cytochrome P450. We also show that AhR, as a participant in the redox balance and as a modulator of redox signals, is being increasingly studied as a target for a new class of therapeutic compounds and as an explanation for the pathogenesis of some disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria L. Perepechaeva
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Timakova Str. 2, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia;
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Ishihara Y, Kado SY, Bein KJ, He Y, Pouraryan AA, Urban A, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Sweeney C, Vogel CFA. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling Synergizes with TLR/NF-κB-Signaling for Induction of IL-22 Through Canonical and Non-Canonical AhR Pathways. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 3:787360. [PMID: 35295139 PMCID: PMC8915841 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2021.787360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is critically involved in gut immunity and host defense and primarily produced by activated T cells. In different circumstances IL-22 may contribute to pathological conditions or act as a cancer promoting cytokine secreted by infiltrating immune cells. Here we show that bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) express and produce IL-22 after activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) when cells are activated through the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. The additional activation of AhR triggered a significant induction of IL-22 in TLR-activated BMM. Deletion and mutation constructs of the IL-22 promoter revealed that a consensus DRE and RelBAhRE binding element are necessary to mediate the synergistic effects of AhR and TLR ligands. Inhibitor studies and analysis of BMM derived from knockout mice confirmed that the synergistic induction of IL-22 by AhR and TLR ligands depend on the expression of AhR and Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) member RelB. The exposure to particulate matter (PM) collected from traffic related air pollution (TRAP) and wildfires activated AhR as well as NF-κB signaling and significantly induced the expression of IL-22. In summary this study shows that simultaneous activation of the AhR and NF-κB signaling pathways leads to synergistic and prolonged induction of IL-22 by integrating signals of the canonical and non-canonical AhR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States,Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sarah Y. Kado
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Keith J. Bein
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yi He
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Arshia A. Pouraryan
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Angelika Urban
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Colleen Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Christoph F. A. Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States,Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Christoph F. A. Vogel,
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Comparative transcriptional analyses of preclinical models and patient samples reveal MYC and RELA driven expression patterns that define the molecular landscape of IBC. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:12. [PMID: 35042871 PMCID: PMC8766434 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00379-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive disease for which the spectrum of preclinical models was rather limited in the past. More recently, novel cell lines and xenografts have been developed. This study evaluates the transcriptome of an extended series of IBC preclinical models and performed a comparative analysis with patient samples to determine the extent to which the current models recapitulate the molecular characteristics of IBC observed clinically. We demonstrate that the IBC preclinical models are exclusively estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and of the basal-like subtype, which reflects to some extent the predominance of these subtypes in patient samples. The IBC-specific 79-signature we previously reported was retrained and discriminated between IBC and non-IBC preclinical models, but with a relatively high rate of false positive predictions. Further analyses of gene expression profiles revealed important roles for cell proliferation, MYC transcriptional activity, and TNFɑ/NFκB in the biology of IBC. Patterns of MYC expression and transcriptional activity were further explored in patient samples, which revealed interactions with ESR1 expression that are contrasting in IBC and nIBC and notable given the comparatively poor outcomes of ER+ IBC. Our analyses also suggest important roles for NMYC, MXD3, MAX, and MLX in shaping MYC signaling in IBC. Overall, we demonstrate that the IBC preclinical models can be used to unravel cancer cell intrinsic molecular features, and thus constitute valuable research tools. Nevertheless, the current lack of ER-positive IBC models remains a major hurdle, particularly since interactions with the ER pathway appear to be relevant for IBC.
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Fernández-Gallego N, Sánchez-Madrid F, Cibrian D. Role of AHR Ligands in Skin Homeostasis and Cutaneous Inflammation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113176. [PMID: 34831399 PMCID: PMC8622815 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an important regulator of skin barrier function. It also controls immune-mediated skin responses. The AHR modulates various physiological functions by acting as a sensor that mediates environment–cell interactions, particularly during immune and inflammatory responses. Diverse experimental systems have been used to assess the AHR’s role in skin inflammation, including in vitro assays of keratinocyte stimulation and murine models of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Similar approaches have addressed the role of AHR ligands, e.g., TCDD, FICZ, and microbiota-derived metabolites, in skin homeostasis and pathology. Tapinarof is a novel AHR-modulating agent that inhibits skin inflammation and enhances skin barrier function. The topical application of tapinarof is being evaluated in clinical trials to treat psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In the present review, we summarize the effects of natural and synthetic AHR ligands in keratinocytes and inflammatory cells, and their relevance in normal skin homeostasis and cutaneous inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Fernández-Gallego
- Immunology Service, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Vascular Pathophysiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Madrid
- Immunology Service, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Vascular Pathophysiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.S.-M.); (D.C.)
| | - Danay Cibrian
- Immunology Service, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Vascular Pathophysiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.S.-M.); (D.C.)
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Sahebnasagh A, Hashemi J, Khoshi A, Saghafi F, Avan R, Faramarzi F, Azimi S, Habtemariam S, Sureda A, Khayatkashani M, Safdari M, Rezai Ghaleno H, Soltani H, Khayat Kashani HR. Aromatic hydrocarbon receptors in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Mitochondrion 2021; 61:85-101. [PMID: 34600156 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are ubiquitous membrane-bound organelles that not only play a key role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis and metabolism but also in signaling and apoptosis. Aryl hydrocarbons receptors (AhRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that recognize a wide variety of xenobiotics, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins, and activate diverse detoxification pathways. These receptors are also activated by natural dietary compounds and endogenous metabolites. In addition, AhRs can modulate the expression of a diverse array of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis and function. The aim of the present review is to analyze scientific data available on the AhR signaling pathway and its interaction with the intracellular signaling pathways involved in mitochondrial functions, especially those related to cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Various evidence have reported the crosstalk between the AhR signaling pathway and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), tyrosine kinase receptor signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The AhR signaling pathway seems to promote cell cycle progression in the absence of exogenous ligands, whereas the presence of exogenous ligands induces cell cycle arrest. However, its effects on apoptosis are controversial since activation or overexpression of AhR has been observed to induce or inhibit apoptosis depending on the cell type. Regarding the mitochondria, although activation by endogenous ligands is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, the effects of endogenous ligands are not well understood but point towards antiapoptotic effects and inducers of mitochondrial biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeleh Sahebnasagh
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Javad Hashemi
- Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Khoshi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Saghafi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Razieh Avan
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Faramarzi
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Azimi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories and Herbal Analysis Services, School of Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands and Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma de Mallorca, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maryam Khayatkashani
- School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14155-6559 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Safdari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Hassan Rezai Ghaleno
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hosseinali Soltani
- Department of General Surgery, Imam Ali Hospital, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Khayat Kashani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Larigot L, Benoit L, Koual M, Tomkiewicz C, Barouki R, Coumoul X. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Its Diverse Ligands and Functions: An Exposome Receptor. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 62:383-404. [PMID: 34499523 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052220-115707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcriptional factor that regulates multiple functions following its activation by a variety of ligands, including xenobiotics, natural products, microbiome metabolites, and endogenous molecules. Because of this diversity, the AhR constitutes an exposome receptor. One of its main functions is to regulate several lines of defense against chemical insults and bacterial infections. Indeed, in addition to its well-established detoxication function, it has several functions at physiological barriers, and it plays a critical role in immunomodulation. The AhR is also involved in the development of several organs and their homeostatic maintenance. Its activity depends on the type of ligand and on the time frame of the receptor activation, which can be either sustained or transient, leading in some cases to opposite modes of regulations as illustrated in the regulation of different cancer pathways. The development of selective modulators and their pharmacological characterization are important areas of research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Larigot
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Louise Benoit
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Meriem Koual
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Céline Tomkiewicz
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Robert Barouki
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France; .,Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S1124, T3S, Toxicologie Environnementale, Cibles thérapeutiques, Signalisation cellulaire et Biomarqueurs, and Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
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Mony V, Nirmal RM, Parvathi V, Parvathy RL, Varun BR, Jayanthi P. Evaluation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa using western blot. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021; 25:68-73. [PMID: 34349414 PMCID: PMC8272475 DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_287_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that acts as a binding site for toxic chemicals, particularly the dioxin group of chemicals. Elevated levels of AHR have been observed in various human cancers, including lung carcinomas, hepatic carcinomas and in mammary tumors. However, the expression of AHR in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients who are tobacco users are less explored. Aims and Objectives The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare AHR levels in OSSC patients and in normals using Western blot technique in an attempt to explore the possible role of AHR in oral carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods The study sample consisted of ten oral squamous cell carcinoma cases which were diagnosed clinically and confirmed histopathologically as OSCC and four samples of the normal oral mucosa. AHR protein expression was evaluated using Western blot technique and chemiluminescence detection kit. The densitometry was performed on a Microtek scan maker MSP flatbed scanner and quantified using Image J software. Mean AHR protein levels were calculated and compared between OSCC and normal oral mucosa using Student's t-test. Results The mean AHR protein level in OSCC samples (n = 10) was 2878.90 ± 1231.27 and 975.75 ± 227.27 in the normal oral mucosa (n = 4). The OSCC samples showed significantly higher levels of AHR protein compared to the normal oral mucosa (P = 0.008). Conclusion The study showed a significantly higher expression of AHR in oral squamous cell carcinoma samples when compared to the normal oral mucosa, suggesting a possible role of AHR in the initiation, promotion and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Mony
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - R Madhavan Nirmal
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Parvathi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R L Parvathy
- Department of Pharmacology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - B R Varun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - P Jayanthi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India
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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor suppresses immunity to oral squamous cell carcinoma through immune checkpoint regulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2012692118. [PMID: 33941684 PMCID: PMC8126867 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012692118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent some of the most important cancer treatments developed in the last 20 y. However, existing immunotherapy approaches benefit only a minority of patients. Here, we provide evidence that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a central player in the regulation of multiple immune checkpoints in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Orthotopic transplant of mouse OSCC cells from which the AhR has been deleted (MOC1AhR-KO) results, within 1 wk, in the growth of small tumors that are then completely rejected within 2 wk, concomitant with an increase in activated T cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) and T cell signaling within the tumor. By 2 wk, AhR+ control cells (MOC1Cas9), but not MOC1AhR-KO cells up-regulate exhaustion pathways in the tumor-infiltrating T cells and expression of checkpoint molecules on CD4+ T cells (PD-1, CTLA4, Lag3, and CD39) and macrophages, dendritic cells, and Ly6G+ myeloid cells (PD-L1 and CD39) in tdLNs. Notably, MOC1AhR-KO cell transplant renders mice 100% immune to later challenge with wild-type tumors. Analysis of altered signaling pathways within MOC1AhR-KO cells shows that the AhR controls baseline and IFNγ-induced Ido and PD-L1 expression, the latter of which occurs through direct transcriptional control. These observations 1) confirm the importance of malignant cell AhR in suppression of tumor immunity, 2) demonstrate the involvement of the AhR in IFNγ control of PD-L1 and IDO expression in the cancer context, and 3) suggest that the AhR is a viable target for modulation of multiple immune checkpoints.
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Zaragoza-Ojeda M, Apatiga-Vega E, Arenas-Huertero F. Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in central nervous system tumors: Biological and therapeutic implications. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:460. [PMID: 33907570 PMCID: PMC8063300 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, whose canonical pathway mainly regulates the genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. However, it can also regulate several responses in a non-canonical manner, such as proliferation, differentiation, cell death and cell adhesion. AhR plays an important role in central nervous system tumors, as it can regulate several cellular responses via different pathways. The polymorphisms of the AHR gene have been associated with the development of gliomas. In addition, the metabolism of tumor cells promotes tumor growth, particularly in tryptophan synthesis, where some metabolites, such as kynurenine, can activate the AhR pathway, triggering cell proliferation in astrocytomas, medulloblastomas and glioblastomas. Furthermore, as part of the changes in neuroblastomas, AHR is able to downregulate the expression of proto-oncogene c-Myc, induce differentiation in tumor cells, and cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Collectively, these data suggested that the modulation of the AhR pathway may downregulate tumor growth, providing a novel strategy for applications for the treatment of certain tumors through the control of the AhR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Zaragoza-Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, México
| | - Elisa Apatiga-Vega
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México
| | - Francisco Arenas-Huertero
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Patología Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, México
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Shen D, Song C, Miskey C, Chan S, Guan Z, Sang Y, Wang Y, Chen C, Wang X, Müller F, Ivics Z, Gao B. A native, highly active Tc1/mariner transposon from zebrafish (ZB) offers an efficient genetic manipulation tool for vertebrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:2126-2140. [PMID: 33638993 PMCID: PMC7913693 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
New genetic tools and strategies are currently under development to facilitate functional genomics analyses. Here, we describe an active member of the Tc1/mariner transposon superfamily, named ZB, which invaded the zebrafish genome very recently. ZB exhibits high activity in vertebrate cells, in the range of those of the widely used transposons piggyBac (PB), Sleeping Beauty (SB) and Tol2. ZB has a similar structural organization and target site sequence preference to SB, but a different integration profile with respect to genome-wide preference among mammalian functional annotation features. Namely, ZB displays a preference for integration into transcriptional regulatory regions of genes. Accordingly, we demonstrate the utility of ZB for enhancer trapping in zebrafish embryos and in the mouse germline. These results indicate that ZB may be a powerful tool for genetic manipulation in vertebrate model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Chengyi Song
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Shuheng Chan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Zhongxia Guan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yatong Sang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yali Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Ferenc Müller
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen 63225, Germany
| | - Bo Gao
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
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A New Insight into the Potential Role of Tryptophan-Derived AhR Ligands in Skin Physiological and Pathological Processes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031104. [PMID: 33499346 PMCID: PMC7865493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in environmental responses and xenobiotic metabolism, as it controls the transcription profiles of several genes in a ligand-specific and cell-type-specific manner. Various barrier tissues, including skin, display the expression of AhR. Recent studies revealed multiple roles of AhR in skin physiology and disease, including melanogenesis, inflammation and cancer. Tryptophan metabolites are distinguished among the groups of natural and synthetic AhR ligands, and these include kynurenine, kynurenic acid and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ). Tryptophan derivatives can affect and regulate a variety of signaling pathways. Thus, the interest in how these substances influence physiological and pathological processes in the skin is expanding rapidly. The widespread presence of these substances and potential continuous exposure of the skin to their biological effects indicate the important role of AhR and its ligands in the prevention, pathogenesis and progression of skin diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of AhR in skin physiology. Moreover, we discuss the role of AhR in skin pathological processes, including inflammatory skin diseases, pigmentation disorders and cancer. Finally, the impact of FICZ, kynurenic acid, and kynurenine on physiological and pathological processes in the skin is considered. However, the mechanisms of how AhR regulates skin function require further investigation.
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Leclerc D, Staats Pires AC, Guillemin GJ, Gilot D. Detrimental activation of AhR pathway in cancer: an overview of therapeutic strategies. Curr Opin Immunol 2021; 70:15-26. [PMID: 33429228 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sustained transcriptional activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) promotes tumour growth and impairs the immune defence, at least for cutaneous melanoma and glioma. AhR ligands are produced by the tumour microenvironment (TME) and by the tumour itself (intracrine). The recent identification of interleukin-4-induced-1 (IL4I1), a parallel pathway to indoleamine 2 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)/ tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), and its ability to generate AhR ligands, confirms that a complete inhibition of AhR ligand production might be difficult to reach. Here, we have focused on recent discoveries explaining the large varieties of AhR ligands and the functional consequences in terms of cancer cell plasticity and consecutive therapy resistance. We also examined therapeutic strategies targeting the AhR signalling pathway and their possible adverse effects. Since the end of 2019, two phase I clinical trials have investigated the ability of the AhR antagonist to 'reset' the immune system and re-sensitize the cancer cells to therapies by preventing their dedifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Leclerc
- Inserm U1242, Université de Rennes, France, Centre de lutte contre le cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Ananda Christina Staats Pires
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Gilot
- Inserm U1242, Université de Rennes, France, Centre de lutte contre le cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
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Wang Z, Snyder M, Kenison JE, Yang K, Lara B, Lydell E, Bennani K, Novikov O, Federico A, Monti S, Sherr DH. How the AHR Became Important in Cancer: The Role of Chronically Active AHR in Cancer Aggression. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010387. [PMID: 33396563 PMCID: PMC7795223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was studied for its role in environmental chemical toxicity i.e., as a quirk of nature and a mediator of unintended consequences of human pollution. During that period, it was not certain that the AHR had a “normal” physiological function. However, the ongoing accumulation of data from an ever-expanding variety of studies on cancer, cancer immunity, autoimmunity, organ development, and other areas bears witness to a staggering array of AHR-controlled normal and pathological activities. The objective of this review is to discuss how the AHR has gone from a likely contributor to genotoxic environmental carcinogen-induced cancer to a master regulator of malignant cell progression and cancer aggression. Particular focus is placed on the association between AHR activity and poor cancer outcomes, feedback loops that control chronic AHR activity in cancer, and the role of chronically active AHR in driving cancer cell invasion, migration, cancer stem cell characteristics, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyan Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Z.W.); (K.Y.); (E.L.)
| | - Megan Snyder
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Jessica E. Kenison
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Kangkang Yang
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Z.W.); (K.Y.); (E.L.)
| | - Brian Lara
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (B.L.); (K.B.)
| | - Emily Lydell
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Z.W.); (K.Y.); (E.L.)
| | - Kawtar Bennani
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (B.L.); (K.B.)
| | | | - Anthony Federico
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (A.F.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefano Monti
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (A.F.); (S.M.)
| | - David H. Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Z.W.); (K.Y.); (E.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-358-1707
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Shiroma Y, Fujita G, Yamamoto T, Takahashi RU, Kumar A, Zhang KYJ, Ito A, Osada H, Yoshida M, Tahara H. Identification of a Selective RelA Inhibitor Based on DSE-FRET Screening Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239150. [PMID: 33266352 PMCID: PMC7734590 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is an important transcription factor involved in various biological functions, including tumorigenesis. Hence, NF-κB has attracted attention as a target factor for cancer treatment, leading to the development of several inhibitors. However, existing NF-κB inhibitors do not discriminate between its subunits, namely, RelA, RelB, cRel, p50, and p52. Conventional methods used to evaluate interactions between transcription factors and DNA, such as electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase assays, are unsuitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) and cannot distinguish NF-κB subunits. We developed a HTS method named DNA strand exchange fluorescence resonance energy transfer (DSE-FRET). This assay is suitable for HTS and can discriminate a NF-κB subunit. Using DSE-FRET, we searched for RelA-specific inhibitors and verified RelA inhibition for 32,955 compounds. The compound A55 (2-(3-carbamoyl-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxopyridin-1(2H)-yl) acetic acid) selectively inhibited RelA–DNA binding. We propose that A55 is a seed compound for RelA-specific inhibition and could be used in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitomo Shiroma
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (Y.S.); (G.F.); (T.Y.); (R.-uT.)
| | - Go Fujita
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (Y.S.); (G.F.); (T.Y.); (R.-uT.)
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (Y.S.); (G.F.); (T.Y.); (R.-uT.)
| | - Ryou-u Takahashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (Y.S.); (G.F.); (T.Y.); (R.-uT.)
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (A.K.); (K.Y.J.Z.)
| | - Kam Y. J. Zhang
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; (A.K.); (K.Y.J.Z.)
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1, Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.;
- Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Biology Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan;
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan;
- Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit for Drug Discovery Platform, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Tahara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (Y.S.); (G.F.); (T.Y.); (R.-uT.)
- The Research Center for Drug Development and Biomarker Discovery, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-082-257-5290 (ext. 5290)
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Eve L, Fervers B, Le Romancer M, Etienne-Selloum N. Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Risk of Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9139. [PMID: 33266302 PMCID: PMC7731339 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest in the world. Exposure to endocrine disrupting pollutants has been suggested to contribute to the increase in disease incidence. Indeed, a growing number of researchershave investigated the effects of widely used environmental chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties on BC development in experimental (in vitro and animal models) and epidemiological studies. The complex effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on hormonal pathways, involving carcinogenic effects and an increase in mammary gland susceptibility to carcinogenesis-together with the specific characteristics of the mammary gland evolving over the course of life and the multifactorial etiology of BC-make the evaluation of these compounds a complex issue. Among the many EDCs suspected of increasing the risk of BC, strong evidence has only been provided for few EDCs including diethylstilbestrol, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dioxins and bisphenol A. However, given the ubiquitous nature and massive use of EDCs, it is essential to continue to assess their long-term health effects, particularly on carcinogenesis, to eradicate the worst of them and to sensitize the population to minimize their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisane Eve
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F-69000 Lyon, France
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Béatrice Fervers
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Léon-Bérard, F-69000 Lyon, France;
- Inserm UA08, Radiations, Défense, Santé, Environnement, Center Léon Bérard, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Muriel Le Romancer
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F-69000 Lyon, France
- Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Nelly Etienne-Selloum
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Service de Pharmacie, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- CNRS UMR7021/Unistra, Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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45
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Pirzadeh M, Khalili N, Rezaei N. The interplay between aryl hydrocarbon receptor, H. pylori, tryptophan, and arginine in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Int Rev Immunol 2020; 41:299-312. [DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1851371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Pirzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Nastaran Khalili
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Sheffield, UK
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Koual M, Tomkiewicz C, Cano-Sancho G, Antignac JP, Bats AS, Coumoul X. Environmental chemicals, breast cancer progression and drug resistance. Environ Health 2020; 19:117. [PMID: 33203443 PMCID: PMC7672852 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common causes of cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Mortality is associated mainly with the development of metastases. Identification of the mechanisms involved in metastasis formation is, therefore, a major public health issue. Among the proposed risk factors, chemical environment and pollution are increasingly suggested to have an effect on the signaling pathways involved in metastatic tumor cells emergence and progression. The purpose of this article is to summarize current knowledge about the role of environmental chemicals in breast cancer progression, metastasis formation and resistance to chemotherapy. Through a scoping review, we highlight the effects of a wide variety of environmental toxicants, including persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors, on invasion mechanisms and metastatic processes in BC. We identified the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer-stemness (the stem cell-like phenotype in tumors), two mechanisms suspected of playing key roles in the development of metastases and linked to chemoresistance, as potential targets of contaminants. We discuss then the recently described pro-migratory and pro-invasive Ah receptor signaling pathway and conclude that his role in BC progression is still controversial. In conclusion, although several pertinent pathways for the effects of xenobiotics have been identified, the mechanisms of actions for multiple other molecules remain to be established. The integral role of xenobiotics in the exposome in BC needs to be further explored through additional relevant epidemiological studies that can be extended to molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Koual
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Paris, France.
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Céline Tomkiewicz
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Bats
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Service de Chirurgie Cancérologique Gynécologique et du Sein, Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR-S1147, Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- INSERM UMR-S1124, 3TS, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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47
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Abney KK, Galipeau J. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in mesenchymal stromal cells: new frontiers in AhR biology. FEBS J 2020; 288:3962-3972. [PMID: 33064873 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are nonhematopoietic cells that have been clinically explored as investigational cellular therapeutics for tissue injury regeneration and immune-mediated diseases. Their pharmaceutical properties arise from activation of endogenous receptors and transcription factors leading to a paracrine effect which mirror the biology of progenitors from which they arise. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that has been extensively studied as an environmental sensor for xenobiotics, but recent findings suggest it can modulate immunological functions. Both genetic and pharmacological investigations revealed that MSCs express AhR and that it plays roles in inflammation, immunomodulation, and mesodermal plasticity of endogenous MSCs. Further, AhR has been shown to interact with key signaling cascades associated with these conditions. Therefore, AhR has potential to be an attractive target in both endogenous and culture-adapted MSCs for novel therapeutics to treat inflammation and other age-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher K Abney
- Department of Medicine and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jacques Galipeau
- Department of Medicine and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, USA
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Ding W, Zhang H, Mei G. Synergistic antitumor activity of DHA and JQ1 in colorectal carcinoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 885:173500. [PMID: 32861663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Colon cancer is still a major disease plaguing humans. In this study, we evaluated the synergistic antitumor effects of the combination of BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in colon cancer. We demonstrated that simultaneous exposure to JQ1 and DHA resulted in strong synergistic antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects related to inhibition of expression of c-Myc and activation of NF-κB in colon cancer cell lines. At the same time, the synergetic anticancer effect had been confirmed in vivo. For in vivo experiments, JQ1 and DHA resulted in more significant tumor growth inhibition (53.7%) in a human colon cancer HCT116 xenograft model, comparing with the moderate inhibition in JQ1-treated (31.9%) or DHA-treated groups (20.3%). Because DHA is the predominant component of fish oil, our data suggest that this nontoxic dietary supplement could be administered with BRD4 inhibitor during therapy for CRC, which lay an important foundation for the development of therapeutic regimens for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjing Ding
- Institute of Marine Biology& Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, China.
| | - Haojian Zhang
- Institute of Marine Biology& Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, China
| | - Guangming Mei
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, China
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First evidence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a druggable target in hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia. Pharmacol Res 2020; 159:104869. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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50
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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Connects Inflammation to Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155264. [PMID: 32722276 PMCID: PMC7432832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an evolutionary conserved transcription factor, is a pleiotropic signal transductor. Thanks to its promiscuous ligand binding domain, during the evolution of eukaryotic cells its developmental functions were integrated with biosensor functions. Its activation by a multitude of endogenous and exogenous molecules stimulates its participation in several pathways, some of which are linked to inflammation and breast cancer (BC). Over time, the study of this malignancy has led to the identification of several therapeutic targets in cancer cells. An intense area of study is dedicated to BC phenotypes lacking adequate targets. In this context, due to its high constitutive activation in BC, AhR is currently gaining more and more attention. In this review, I have considered its interactions with: 1. the immune system, whose dysregulation is a renowned cancer hallmark; 2. interleukin 6 (IL6) which is a pivotal inflammatory marker and is closely correlated to breast cancer risk; 3. NF-kB, another evolutionary conserved transcription factor, which plays a key role in immunoregulatory functions, inflammatory response and breast carcinogenesis; 4. kynurenine, a tryptophan-derived ligand that activates and bridges AhR to chronic inflammation and breast carcinogenesis. Overall, the data here presented form an interesting framework where AhR is an interesting connector between inflammation and BC.
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